Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of personnel which have been recruited into the Reserve Defence Force since his decision to lift the embargo on recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42271/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities have advised that as at the beginning of November 2009, 200 recruits had been attested since the embargo on recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force was lifted. The Directorate of Reserve Forces has approval to proceed with further recruitment to replace existing members of the Reserve leaving and being discharged in the normal manner.

As with the broader public service, the Defence Organisation is required to operate with reduced funding in 2009. In this context, my first priority for the Reserve was to consolidate the gains that have been made over recent years. Limited recruitment in order to replace existing members who leave during the course of the year was sanctioned. This ongoing limited recruitment is being closely monitored and will be kept under review in the light of the future budgetary provision available to the Department of Defence.